Brother F*er

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Warning: This article contains spoilers for A Simple Favor and Another Simple Favor.

The frequent use of the term “brother f*er” by Blake Lively’s character Emily towards Anna Kendrick’s character Stephanie in the movie “Another Simple Favor,” directed by Paul Feig, can be easily understood as a result of their complex relationship developed from the events in the 2018 movie “A Simple Favor.” The latter was adapted from the novel of the same name by Darcey Bell and served as an introduction to Lively and Kendrick’s characters. In this earlier story, Stephanie, initially presented as wholesome, became embroiled in the investigation of Emily’s sudden and enigmatic disappearance following a brief friendship with Emily, the chic and potentially dangerous woman who is a mother of one of Stephanie’s son’s classmates.

2025’s film, titled “Another Simple Favor,” brings back Kendrick and Lively reprising their characters Stephanie and Emily. Emily, it turns out, is Hope McLanden – the identical triplet of Faith, whom Hope had killed in an attempt to stage her own death. The cast also includes Andrew Rannells, Aparna Nancherla, Kelly McCormack as Stacy, along with fellow parents Darren and Sona. Also returning are Bashir Salahuddin as Detective Summerville, Henry Golding as Emily’s ex-husband Sean Townsend, and Ian Ho portraying their son Nicky Townsend-Nelson. The sequel also revives a recurring joke where Emily insults Stephanie by calling her a “brother f*er.

Emily’s Brother F*er Insult Is A Reference To Stephanie & Her Half-Brother’s Sexual History

Their Relationship Is A Major Reveal In A Simple Favor

The jab in the story stems from the happenings of the movie “A Simple Favor.” Initially, Stephanie presents as an unsuspecting and naive character in the intricate psychological thriller. However, as she delves deeper into the Nelson family’s turmoil, her own skeletons start to surface. The most significant revelation is that her son Miles (Joshua Satine) might have been conceived from Stephanie’s clandestine affair with her paternal half-brother Chris (Dustin Milligan). As David (Eric Johnson) starts to suspect this, it seems that his emotional turmoil could have caused the car accident that claimed both his and Chris’ lives.

In the original movie and “Another Simple Favor,” Emily repeatedly referring to Stephanie as a derogatory term underscores her control over their friendship. Not only does she employ this insult as a means of humiliating Stephanie, but it initially serves as a reminder that Emily possesses damning information about her. Moreover, Emily’s use of the slur demonstrates her indifferent cruelty, as it not only recalls one of Stephanie’s most significant embarrassments, but also because Emily can leverage this painful memory to mentally torment her friend due to its connection with her grief.

Another Simple Favor Flips Emily’s Brother F*er Reference

Charity McLanden Adds To The Franchise’s Ribald Overtones

In the 2025 sequel of “A Simple Favor,” the insult “brother f*er” takes on an intriguing twist. The cast of “Another Simple Favor” expands with a shocking newcomer, Charity – the third identical triplet of Hope and Faith, who was previously thought to have passed away at birth. However, it is uncovered that Charity was actually kidnapped by their aunt Linda (Allison Janney) for use in various schemes. It is revealed that Charity, isolated since her birth, developed a psychosexual fixation on Hope, leading her to make sexual advances towards Emily and even kissing her.

As Stephanie learns the truth about the sisters, she finds an opportunity to change the dynamics and fling the accusation “sister betrayer.” Primarily aimed at Charity, this slur also reaches Emily. Though Emily doesn’t truly fit this label, Stephanie gleefully uses it as a form of retaliation for past insults. By the end of Another Simple Favor, this tactic gives her some power over Emily, leveling the playing field and potentially paving the way for a stronger relationship between them.

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2025-05-03 16:30